Dr. Jess F. Deegan II, a resident of Crawford, has joined the Regional Advisory Council managed by Region 10. Dr. Deegan is a former university professor of psychology. He previously served on the board of directors for the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County (California), as a Kern County Commissioner on Aging, and as the chair of the board of directors for the Center of the Blind and Visually Impaired, as well as other executive committee positions for local community groups and nonprofits.

Dr. Deegan retired to Crawford with his wife, who was diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer's in 2012. Dr. Deegan started O'Deegan Consulting, which provides two caregiver support group sessions on a weekly basis with the support of the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado and Crossroads Memory Care of Delta. Dr. Deegan currently serves as the president of the Hotchkiss Lions Club, is on the Delta County Advisory Council for Volunteers of America's Western Slope office, chair of Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado (ADRC) Advisory Council, and was recently appointed to the All Points Transit board of directors. Dr. Deegan was also recently appointed to the Abraham Connection board of directors and the Delta County Library board of trustees.

Dr. Deegan is excited to serve on the Regional Advisory Council (RAC) as a representative of Delta County, as he has served on similar councils before and understands the impact these organizations have on their communities. Dr. Deegan hopes to use his skills as a psychologist and a researcher to help identify resources for the community and help make this area an excellent and hospitable environment for seniors to live.